The award-winning exhibition capturing a decade of social and environmental change within the small fishing communities of the Abrolhos Islands will go on display at the Western Australian Maritime Museum, Fremantle, from September 7.
WA Museum executive director Dr Ian MacLeod said the museum is thrilled to host Seeing Change: A photographic story from Abrolhos fishers, named Best Temporary Exhibition under $20,000 at the Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNAs) in May.
“Seeing Change focuses on the many physical and emotional changes the Abrolhos’s rock lobster industry and island community have observed over the last five to ten years,” Dr MacLeod said.
“The community’s stories and photographs alongside the scientific data tell a poignant and powerful story in the community’s own voice.”
Dr MacLeod said the environmental, climatic and social changes impacting the Abrolhos community have undoubted parallels to those affecting other fishing communities along the state’s vast coastline.
“The project has proven very successful in galvanising the Abrolhos community to explore views of environmental and social change, and encouraged a discussion of climate change science - the nature of the fishing community’s daily interaction with their environment meant they were ideally placed to inform scientists of subtle changes. We hope this fascinating, striking and thought-provoking exhibition serves as a catalyst for similar discussions amongst other fishing communities,” Dr MacLeod said.
Seeing Change: A photographic story from Abrolhos fishers is a collaboration between the WA Marine Science Institution, Curtin University, WA Department of Fisheries, Coastwest, ABC Open, the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council, the WA Museum and the Abrolhos fishing community, and will be on display at the WA Maritime Museum Fremantle from 7 September to 24 November, 2013.
Media contact:
Niki Comparti
Western Australian Museum
niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au
6552 7805
